Page 99 of Just Bromantically Invested

I lean up to kiss him softly. “I can feel it. That you’re at peace.”

“I really am. Which is not something I experience a lot and fully expect it to be over by tomorrow.”

“Then enjoy it while you can.”

Because I’m reasonably sure he’ll have his answer by tomorrow, but whether Damien agrees or not, it still means a lot of work in our futures. I won’t dump him with the business to work out himself—I already sort of did that when I took this consulting role with Damien—and it wasn’t fair of me. Penn puts up with a lot when it comes to me following a feeling without totally thinking things through, and I’m so lucky he loves me anyway. Or because of it.

Either way, Penn is a total catch.

It blows my mind that he felt alone for so long when he’s the kind of guy people want to be friends with. He’s kindhearted and fun and so goddamn loyal. If we keep going like this, I’ll marry him someday.

I can imagine it now.

What are you wearing to your wedding, Madden?

That almost makes me snicker, but even now, I can picture it at Peach Acres. At hiring out the place and having all our friends there.

My head, heart, gut thing goes berserk.

“I hate that this all started because you were lonely, but I’m so fucking glad I have you now,” I say.

“I’m glad too. That I finally pulled my head out of my ass.”

“So I could put my dick in there instead?”

He groans and drops his forehead to my chest. “You’re not funny.”

“I know you’re hiding a smile.”

“I’m really, really not.” When he looks up again, he’s right. He’s not smiling, but his brown eyes are full of love as he looks at me. “I won’t always make the right choices, but I can promise you I’ll always try. There’s something I need to work on when it comes to myself and letting go or whatever, but I’m determined to do it. I’m determined to make sure we work. That we’ll always work.”

As much as I don’t hate the possessiveness, I know he has to do it for himself. Plus, it probably would get old fast if it escalated to the point of overbearing. Early on, of course I want him to never get enough of me, but I don’t want that to jeopardize my other relationships as well.

He’s not the only one who needs to work on things though. I need to get better at showing Penn that I’m all in with him. No more hiding my feelings. No more clinging to my replacement family. I need to trust that I’m not going to lose the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

“I’m determined to make sure we work too. So … I thought maybe we could revisit the moving out thing in six months? Maybe if we start taking steps toward it, that might help me not want to freak out so dramatically from things changing. Is that … does that work for you?”

He nods slowly. “Yes, Mads. That would be perfect.”

It might not actually be perfect, but we’re learning. Penn and I have a lot of growing to do, but as long as we do it together, I know we have a chance at making it last. Forever.

There’s no one else I’d want to do life with.

Epilogue

Penn

Seeing the transformation that Peach Acres underwent was amazing. I have to hand it to Damien and Madden, they’ve created something really special here.

After completing the engineering for the site, I took a giant step back. Madden stayed with our business in name only and threw himself into Peach Acres while I threw myself into Leaf It to Us.

The business that originally started as his idea, which I jumped into as a way for us to spend more time together, finally feels likemine. It only took two years, but we’ve grown quickly, and with the contract for landscaping maintenance about to begin, I’m now up to a team of ten. I’ve never been busier, and I love it.

I stop by Peach Acres after lunch with sandwiches for Madden and Damien. My team has been on-site all morning,mowing the greens, trimming back hedges, and testing the automatic sprinkler systems we installed.

I had a residential quote this morning, but with the grand opening so close, I know Madden wouldn’t have stopped to eat.

The big house has been completely rejuvenated. Fresh paint on the outside and modern on the inside. Madden’s in his office, on the phone when I arrive, and I drop his lunch on his desk before hand delivering Damien’s as well.

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